People’s Petitions

Recall All The Books Issued By GCERT

The Petition

Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated on October 30, 1948? Japan nuked US during World War ll? Partition led to the creation of a new country called, Islamic Islamabad? Qutub Minar is a city?

These are some of the many errors present in the social sciences textbooks of class 6, 7 and 8 issued by the Gujarat Council of Educational Research and Training board. The books are not only replete with factual errors but are abounding with spelling mistakes.

The fact that these books carry the stamp of GSBST only worsens the gravity of the situation. An estimate says that around 50, 000 students are currently enrolled in English medium primary schools across the state. These books are giving these impressionable minds a lopsided version of India’s past full with errors and biases.

The Gujarat government decision to not withdraw the text books and release errata on the internet has put the future of millions of students at stake in the sense that the books enjoy a pervasive reach through classrooms of all English medium schools present in the state. The sole purpose of school books as has been agreed upon is to provide insight into facts about the country’s past but in the present case they are presenting an unwelcome justification by putting forward a hilarious display of a nonsensical and disrupted past not taking into account the fact that the books meant to be used for school syllabus are considered the only reliable source for millions of students in providing them a concrete and truthful version of nearly 5,000 years of India’s past.

The whole incident shows carelessness on the part of the translator. It also shows how poorly the subject of social science is treated in the school premises. There are also instances of gender biases against the women community and they have been shown in a poor light often portrayed as subordinate to men and carrying out the household activities. Moreover, social science textbook of class 8 doesn’t take into consideration any reference to all the great women who played a significant role in the movement of India. Gujarat State Board for School Textbooks (GSBST) must take the books back and reprint them realizing the extent of potential damage they might bring to the young students.

To,
Mr. Nitin Pathani
Executive president GSBST

Mr. M.T. Shah
Director, Gujarat Council of Educational Research and Training

Sir,
The errors in the social sciences book of classes 6, 7 and 8 which have come into notice are doing a great harm to the young minds that are at a very impressionable age. Hence, it is important that they must be provided a truthful history with correct facts and figures. The decision of the GSBST to not withdraw the books is disappointing especially when we are talking about the future leaders of India.

The abundance of errors present in the books only shows the casual attitude of the person giving the impression that the work was not taken seriously. It also raises many questions such as the ones like how can GSBST trust such incompetent writers? Why was there no effort made to carry out a thorough review of the books before they went into circulation? Hence, realizing at the severity of damage that might result I request Mr. Nitin Pathani and Mr. M.T. Shah to withdraw all books and reprint them and the financial loss caused should be made from the pockets of those responsible for this. The reprinted books should be proof read before they reach the classrooms. In addition to this, to prevent any such future instance a committee should be formed that will be responsible for giving a final judgment whether the books have been thoroughly checked and put into circulation or not?